a day in NY

Me and my friend plan to take the Fung Wah bus from Boston to New York sometime soon. I am totally unfamiliar with the subway system there. I do plan, however, on buying a "1 day fun pass" to pay for my fares. Any tips on getting around. Also important stations -- for railfanning and siteseeing are good as well. Thanks

As long as you do not set up a tripod, quadpod, etc, and not interfering with regular operations you are not breaking any rules (laws.)
http://www.mta.info/
Watch out for suspicious folk. Folks asking for money, homeless (most are harmless), debris on seats, and etc. Mostly common sense stuff. Oh yes, do not wear a red or blue bandana unless you wish to be associated with a real street gang.

Bueno Suerte.

VERY IMPORTANT! If you plan to take photos, I would STRONGLY recommend that you take a copy of the section of the MTA Rules of Conduct where it specifically states that photography is LEGAL, with conditions of course. I can't remember the section, but it shouldn't be too hard to find. Bring it with you so that if a police officer questions says you can't take photos, which shouldn't happen anyway, you can show him the rules that say you can. Also ask for his name and badge number.

Hi,

Go to the NYC MTA site, NYC subway website and print out a copy of the stations and route map of their subway system. Carry that with you and you should have no trouble navigating from one line or one division to another. It will also show you where the stations are that have free transfer privileges. Right, you can transfer from one line, or division, to another free of charge.

NYC MTA, the subway system has three divisions; IRT, Interborough Rapid Transit, BMT, Brooklyn Manhattan Transit, and IND, Independent. As a kid my buddies and I prided ourselves on being able to go from one line and one division to another and still return home, for one carfare. You couldn't lose us in those days. Great game, great rides and we often spent the day on the subways.

Weekdays are best; better express train service. Two especially interesting and largely "outdoor" lines to ride are: The #7-Flushing Express (or Local); especially thru Queensboro Plaza, a 2-level elevated station. And the "B", which is the Brighton Express. It goes over the Manhattan Bridge over the East River and almost all the way to Coney Island, Brooklyn via tunnel, open-cut and elevated embankment right-of-way. (A 4-track version of your Braintree Red Line) Also most importantly: you can see out the front of the train on those two lines. At Coney Island, check out the Nathans Famous (fast-food) Restaurant across the street from the huge Stillwell Ave. Station complex, where 4-different lines converge. You can access both the "B" and the #7 lines from several stations in mid-town Manhattan.

Love Train wrote:VERY IMPORTANT! If you plan to take photos, I would STRONGLY recommend that you take a copy of the section of the MTA Rules of Conduct where it specifically states that photography is LEGAL, with conditions of course. I can't remember the section, but it shouldn't be too hard to find...

On my computer screen its on the fourth line from the top of the page on which you just clicked this thread.

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26022

If you need a cheat sheet for how to get somewhere, try:

www.hopstop.com

The No. 7 Flushing line is an excellent above-ground high speed ride. You'll also get a view of Amtrak's ex-PRR Sunnyside Yard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRT_Flushing_Line

I would also reccomend the No. 5 Dyre Avenue Line. The portion from 180th Street to Dyre Avenue was once the New York, Westchester & Boston. Good opportunitues for photography on the former four-track ROW.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRT_Dyre_Avenue_Line

I would also reccomend a visit to the new Stillwell Avenue terminal at Coney Island. A nice ride (though it might be chilly when you get down there).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Isla ... ty_Subway)

You could definitely pull off these three trips in one day, you could use Grand Central as your starting point and visit the Bronx (5), Queens (7), and Brooklyn (D, F, N, Q). The outdoor portions of these lines would lend themselves well to photography. Let us know how you do.

-otto-

Hey Otto,

If you are going to steer them to Stillwell ave in Coney Island, by all means tell them about Nathan's Famous. Hot Dogs like you never ate. Just bury them in HOT sauerkraut and mustard and ....... this is the stuff fantasy dreams are made of.